Results 16,381-16,400 of 25,999 for speaker:Darragh O'Brien

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Proposed Legislation (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In January, my Department published the finalised General Scheme of the Marine Planning and Development Management Bill, which will provide the legislative basis for Ireland's new marine planning regime. The commitment in the Programme for Government to enact this legislation in nine months reflects the priority it has been accorded. In order for this legislation to be enacted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: National Parks and Wildlife Service (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to review the remit, status and funding of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) to ensure that it is playing an effective role in delivering its overall mandate and enforcement role in the protection of wildlife. Preparatory work on this matter is underway. An options paper will be prepared in coming weeks. This paper will...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Social and Affordable Housing (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Part V units can be delivered through a range of programmes funded by my Department, including: - The Social Housing Capital Investment Programme which is Local Authority (LA) led and 100% capital funded - The Capital Assistance Scheme which is Approved Housing Body (AHB) led and 100% capital funded - The Capital Advance Leasing Facility which is AHB led and operates with a range of 0% to 30%...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: On the 6thAugust 2020, my Department received an application for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme from Dublin City Council for the scheme referred to by the Deputy. In order to assess the application further on the 27thAugust 2020 my Department requested additional information from Dublin City Council in relation to the design of the scheme. On receipt of this information, the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. Under Section 5(e) of the Establishment Order, the LDA can provide masterplanning and development...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Coastal Erosion (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Matters relating specifically to the funding of flood response schemes are the responsibility of the Office of Public Works (OPW). I understand that there is currently no ‘buy-out’ scheme in place with regard to property at risk from coastal erosion. Further to a decision of Government, my Department is working with the OPW to examine and address matters of coastal erosion...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Ministerial Meetings (9 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: This Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society and this is reflected in the Programme for Government - Our Shared Future. The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing. In this context, I have consulted...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Water Services (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Programme for Government provides that the Government will refer the issue of the environment, including water, and its place in the Constitution, to a relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration. I and my Department look forward to engaging with the relevant Committee when work proceeds on this issue.

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Housing Adaptation Grant (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In 2020, a total of €73.75 million is available for the Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and People with a Disability Scheme, in respect of private houses. This is made up of €59 million Exchequer funding, which is an increase of some 3.5% on 2019, with the balance of €14.75m being contributed by the local authorities. The suite of grants include the Housing...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Planning Issues (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: Individual military installations may have a variety of different functions; therefore, no specific set of guidelines exists regarding development in close proximity to military installations. Planning applications should be considered by a planning authority on a case by case basis taking all relevant factors and statutory requirements into account. It is open to a military installation or...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme remains open for business. All local authorities are receiving and processing RIHL applications and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. As is the case with any lender, local authorities must lend mortgages on a prudent basis, taking into account the most recent income and employment data...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Registration of Title (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: In relation to any specific cases with the Property Registration Authority (PRA), arrangements have been put in place to facilitate the provision of information directly to members of the Oireachtas. Further information in relation to the specific case referred to may be obtained by contacting the dedicated e-mail address in respect of the PRA at . I understand from the Property Registration...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Building Regulations (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) regulate all gas installers who carry out domestic work through the Registered Gas Installer (RGI) scheme, which is managed by the Register of Gas Installers of Ireland (RGII). It is a legal requirement that any work carried out on domestic gas installations must only be carried out by a Registered Gas Installer. Gas boilers and solid fuel...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 and 440 together. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and associated services for homeless...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 introduced legislative changes last year in relation to the regulation of short-term letting sector through the planning code to help address its impact on the supply of private rented accommodation, particularly in urban centres of high housing demand i.e. rent pressure zones (RPZs). The planning system...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Vacant Sites (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: My Department proactively engages with local authorities with a view to ensuring that the vacant site levy achieves its full potential in terms of bringing concerned sites into productive use. In this regard, my Department issued Circular Letter PL 08/2020 on 9 June 2020 requesting the submission of a further progress report on the implementation of the levy by each local authority. My...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Land Development Agency (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Land Development Agency (LDA) was established on an interim basis in September 2018, by way of an Establishment Order (S.I. 352 of 2018, as amended by S.I. 603 of 2018) made under the Local Government Services (Corporate Bodies) Act 1971, pending the enactment of primary legislation when it will be established as a commercial State agency. The designation of categories of officials under...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Rental Sector (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: From 1 August 2020, the Residential Tenancies and Valuation Act 2020 provides new protections for tenants who have fallen into rent arrears, and as a result, are at risk of losing their tenancy. The Act recognises the impacts of unemployment and reduced working hours amongst those living in the residential rental sector as a result of Covid-19 and acknowledges the adverse impact on the...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Home Loan Scheme (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme remains open for business. All local authorities are receiving and processing RIHL applications and are incorporating increased flexibility to accommodate applicants during the COVID 19 Pandemic. As is the case with any lender, local authorities must lend mortgages on a prudent basis, taking into account the most recent income and employment data...

Written Answers — Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government: Homeless Persons Supports (8 Sep 2020)

Darragh O'Brien: I propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together. My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless...